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Both chefs have team meetings in order to clarify their plans. The focus among the key players is unmistakable save for Jason, who continues to be flaky and self-centered. Then again, Nick is so uptight that a little levity in the kitchen may be a positive. Nick could seriously give Richard Blais a run for his money in terms of stress.

A hilarious moment occurs when Emeril and Tom visit Nick in the kitchen. Tom inquires as to whom Nick selected with the first overall pick. When informed that the answer is Jason, Tom cannot hide his surprise. Jason gets defensive about it, showing off his dazzling dimples in the process. Tom cracks a wide smile, knowing that Jason’s egotism hides a deep set insecurity. He also realizes that Nick was the only person out of the final ten who would have chosen Jason at all, much less first overall. We all have blind spots where our dear friends are concerned.

When Tom enters Nina’s kitchen, he exhibits the only behavior of his that truly annoys me. Nina recounts the circumstances that led to her deciding upon a secondary dessert. Tom asks, “Did you have to do a dessert?” What he means by this is that he believes she has made a mistake. Historically, when Tom determines a chef has incorrectly chosen, he is difficult to move off of that opinion. I fully expect Nina’s dessert to be poorly received by him.

The surprise of the evening occurs when Nina and Nick are escorted to dinner by Emeril and Tom. As they prepare to sit down, they are joined by their loved ones. Nick’s wife and mother are followed by Nina’s husband and brother. I find myself wondering if Louis and Shirley’s loved ones are also on the island somewhere. After all, they were a part of the competition only a day ago so this could not have been a quick bit of planning by the producers of Top Chef. But I digress.

Nick relays that his father suffered from Parkinson ’s disease while his mother works in special education. I instantly understand why Nick has placed so much pressure upon himself this season. Nina’s brother provides a hilarious anecdote. He still lives in Saint Lucia. After the first episode of the season aired, he was constantly accosted by people asking if he was Nina’s brother. Nina is apparently a hero of her people, which is awesome.

After enjoying a delicious meal with friends and family, all that is left for Nick and Nina to do is cook the meal of their lives. Check back for our recap of how that goes.

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